PREFACEThis guide has been created to assist my graduate students in thinking through the many aspects of crafting, implementing and defending a thesis or dissertation in areas related to the discipline of adult learning. It has been my purpose to share with my students some of the many ideas that have surfaced over the past few years that definitely make the task of finishing a graduate degree so much easier. (Note: This Dissertation/Thesis Guide is a companion to the Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal which can also be found on the worldwide web at: http://www.LearnerAssociates.net) Usually a guide of this nature focuses on the actual implementation of the research. This is not the intention of this guide. Instead of examining such aspects as identifying appropriate sample size, field testing the instrument and selecting appropriate statistical tests, this guide looks at many of the quasi-political aspects of the process. Such topics as how to select a supportive committee, making a compelling presentation of your research outcomes and strategies for actually getting the paper written are discussed. Of course, many of the ideas that are presented can be used successfully by other graduate students studying under the guidance of...